The Senate voted without debate Thursday to send the bill back to the House to review amendments to the bill.

At least 40 other states and the federal government treat 17-year-olds as juveniles. New Hampshire lowered its age from 18 to 17 in 1996 and attempts to raise it have failed over the years.

Supporters argue the teens are still of an age when they can be rehabilitated.

Raising the age would mean that crimes committed by 17-year-olds no longer would become part of an adult criminal record. Prosecutors could still ask a judge to treat a 17-year-old as an adult for major crimes.